Pearson back as Cellino’s right-hand man to sort out Leeds United

Leeds United’s new executive director, Adam Pearson has spoken about his return to the club and his hopes for a more successful 2015-16 season.

Pearson was appointed today after quitting a similar role he only started last month at Sheffield Wednesday.

He is back in his home city and explained the reasons for his return to Elland Road.

He said: “I’m here to assist Massimo as much as possible on all sides of the club and I’m really looking forward to it.

“I’ll be like his right-hand man as executive director at the club, trying to get the club moving forward in the right lines and in tune with its supporters. “We’re hopeful for a good season in the Championship next year.

“I know the club really well, I was here 15 years ago. Quite a lot has changed internally but there’s still a lot of familiar faces and some really good staff here.

“Hopefully we can build on that teamwork off the pitch and really take the club forward.

“I know this city very well, I know the club and it’s my hometown city. I want to get back in here and make a difference and get the club moving forward again. “I’ll be working on all aspects of the club, looking primarily to start with the business and commercial sides to make sure we’re maximising all the revenues coming in.

“I want to make sure that the supporters are getting looked after and the facilities are right. There are some key people already here at the club so it’s just bringing that together and pushing that forward.”

Pearson has a wealth of experience in football and previously held the position of commercial director at Elland Road before going on to buy Hull City in 2001. Under Pearson’s chairmanship, Hull rose from being a team in administration and on the brink of exiting the Football League, to becoming a competitive Championship side pushing for the top-flight after a remarkable ascent up the divisions.

Pearson decided to sell the club in 2007 and soon took up the role of executive chairman at Derby County, before returning to Humberside within just two years as he resumed the position of chairman at the KC Stadium.

In 2011 he then purchased Super League side Hull FC, who he still owns, and eventually moved on from the Tigers the following year. His most recent role in football came at local rivals Sheffield Wednesday as part of their sporting committee.

United chairman Massimo Cellino said: “Adam is coming here to be my right-hand man, to help me with everything that needs to be done. There is a lot of work to do.

“He is a good man. He loves football and he knows this club well, that is important.

“Since I came back to Leeds, I have not stopped working, but Adam will help me now. I wanted him here at Leeds and I believe the working relationship will be positive.

“He has quickly started in his job and he has shown in the past that he knows how to be successful in football.

“We will work together on making sure we are ready to have a strong season on and off the pitch.”

Leeds United, meanwhile, have been given the go ahead to sign players again without restriction after the Football League lifted their Financial Fair Play transfer embargo.

United were punished in January after losses of more than £22m in the 2013-14 financial year - most amassed prior to owner Massimo Cellino’s takeover - broke limits set for Championship clubs.

They were one of three second-tier sides, along with Blackburn Rovers and Nottingham Forest, who breached FFP regulations.

The embargo did not prevent Leeds from signing players completely but the club were limited to loanees and free transfers on wages of less than £12,000 a week.

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